花都影视

Imagine your beloved child, who has chronic health conditions, is deciding which college to attend. You would hope she finds a caring community that will support her for the next four years. The Mardirossian family found exactly that at Franklin & Marshall College.

鈥淚 knew I didn鈥檛 want to be a number,鈥� said Karis Mardirossian 鈥�24, speaking about when she first visited F&M. 鈥淎nd I wanted to get to know my professors.鈥�

Karis, a business, organizations & society major and former member of Alpha Xi Delta and the F&M Dance Company, remembered her initial tour of F&M fondly. 鈥淔rom the time I first walked onto the campus, I knew this was a community,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淓ven my tour guide was more friendly than the tour guides [at other colleges].鈥�

Karis is the youngest child of her parents, Marianne and Aris. She found exactly what she was looking for, and what she needed, at F&M. Her parents were so pleased with Karis鈥� experience, they wanted to help other students have that same opportunity. They are making that possible with the Mardirossian Endowed Financial Aid Fund.

鈥淲e chatted with some of Karis鈥� professors while she was a student,鈥� Marianne recalled. 鈥淚t was just like talking to someone in your living room. Karis really found a second home at F&M.鈥�

Marianne and Aris were members of the F&M Parents Council and visited campus frequently, including during True Blue Weekend and for Karis鈥� dance recitals.

Karis believes that if she had not chosen F&M, she would not now have her undergraduate degree.

鈥淚 had some very serious health issues, and had to leave campus to have surgery,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淚 had to be out for a while. My professors worked with me to help me meet all the requirements for my degree. They didn鈥檛 lower the academic standards; I did all the work. But they were exceptionally kind and that really helped me graduate on time, even with my health challenges.鈥�

They really cared about me and what was happening in my life,鈥� she added. 鈥淔or example, I so wanted to be at the spring dance recital and I couldn鈥檛 be there because I was recovering; my dance professor sent me a video of the recital so I could enjoy it when I felt better.鈥�

Karis鈥� parents agreed. They said the special accommodations her professors made for Karis鈥� unique circumstances were exceptional and provided the help she needed.

鈥淲e have five children and four of them went to college before Karis; she is the baby,鈥� Aris said. 鈥淏ecause we have five children, we have a lot of experience with professors and colleges. F&M was just the best. What her professors did for her was unbelievable.鈥�